Folding egg-crate



'I'. B'LLENBECKER. FOLDING BGG CRATE.

No. 586,725.. Patented July 20,1897.-

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sides,

y nected together.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TIIEODOR ELLENBECKER, OF FORESTVILLE, WISCONSIN.

FOLDING EGG-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,725, dated July 20, 1897.

Application filed March 24, 1896. Serial No. 584,704. (No model.)

use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in folding crates of that class designed for the shipment of eggs and the like; and it has for its object, among others, to provide a simple, cheap, and durable device of that character which folded'into small compass for shipping and storage and readily set up when desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specilication, and in which- Figure l is a view of my improved crate set up. Fig. 2 is a view of the same, showing it in its partially-folded position. Fig. 3 shows the same folded. Fig. 4 is a detail of the hinged corner combined with the hinge of the corner of the bottom.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the bottom, B the and C the ends, the ends and sides being connected by suitable hinges D, the ears or eyes of which are adapted to receive the bolt orrod by which they are detachably con- The top and bottom are hinged to the diametrically opposite edges of the two sides, as shown, and the bottom is designed to be heldin its closed position by suitable means, as hooks and staples F, the hooks being, preferably, screw-hooks engagedin the inner faces of the ends, as shown.

G is the partition, detachably secured in can be easily.

-be folded.

J are metallic straps secured to the top or lid and having slots j in the ends thereof which extend beyond-the edge of the top to receive hooks K on the outer face of the front of the box which pass therethrough and are secured by lock or otherwise, or these slots may engage the staples k, after which the lock or hook may be placed therethrough to secure the lid in position. i

The box may be provided at the ends with suitable handhelds or handles or analogous means L, as seen in Figs. l and 2.

The crate can be readily folded without separation of any of the parts, as indicated in Fig. 3, and occupies but a small space for shipment or storage. The box or crate can be folded even when full of the pasteboard fillers or egg-cases, which shut or fold or close up in the same way. Y

Modifications in details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- A folding crate comprising a bottom, sides and ends connected by double hinges extending the entire height 4thereof and having removable -pintles, a top hinged at diametrically opposite sides to the hinge of the bottom, hooks and staples for holding the bottom in its closed position and means on the cover for holding the same in its closed position, and a partition hinged at one edge to one of the as the hooks g, the 5o sides and hooks for detachably holding the other end in its distended position when the crate is opened, substantially as described.A

In testimony whereof I have 4signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

TIIEODOR ELLENBEOKER.

Witnesses: M

II. II. FULLER, B. ARvE. 

